Toddler afraid of public toilets

[tmarquez]

Hi

Although we've been to Disney a few times with my daughter (now 26 months), this will be the first time going with her fully potty trained. As funny as it sounds, unfortunately she's developed a fear of loud flushing public toilets. We will be in the Magic Kingdom and I know they have those automatic flush toilets and I'm afraid that this "surprise" flush will make it even worse. Plus, although I never really paid attention before, I'm guessing they're not exactly quiet either. I'm sure she's not the only one (I hope) so maybe some of you have some advice? A diaper is really not an option, I've tried this on long car trips, and she refuses to "go" in them. Thanks so much!

Trish

 

[nygrl]

the toilets in mk are not that loud and there is so much noise in the bathroom i dont think you will have a problem. i have to warn you though if you are staying on site the toilets in the hotels are really loud. they are like super sonic flushers so she will have to get used to it or be really backed up lol. i am sure you will be fine and kuudos to you for having her trained so early!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Here is a hint (I think I learned it here) take a small pad of post it notes with you. Place one over the electrontic eye before your child sits down and don't take it off until the kid has steped out of the stahl. This should keep it from going off while she is on it. A sticker works too, but post it not is less messy. In a pinch your hand or bag will work too.

If you are in a area, try using the bathroom in the baby care center. They might have some more child friendly ones.

Good luck.

This next trip will be our 1st with DD fully potty trained. Should be interesting.

 

[jenny2]

It's precisely the toilets AT WDW that made my 4yo afraid of flushing! She hates the automatic ones, and insists I come in with her (even now that she's been potty trained for over 2 years) to keep it from flushing. I've just used my hand to cover the sensor. She's at the point now she doesn't even want to be in the stall when I take my hand off and it flushes. She'll say "don't take your hand off... don't let it flush... hold on I'm almost outta here... "

 

[lovesdumbo]

I had this exact problem on my DD's first trip. I did resort to pullups but have since discovered the post-its. My DD was terified of the public restrooms and wouldn't even go in them. The ones at the Baby Center are not automatic flushing. I would highly reccomend you try those and they are far less crowded. My DD would freak out if the potty next to us in the big restrooms started flushing thinking ours was surely next. I did also use the companion restroom (there is one in Toon Town) as I just couldn't get her into the big ladies room. There is some controversy about that as they are supposed to be for just those who really need them. I don't use it now that she's older and her fear is less servere. I did not have a problem in the room as she could leave before I flushed.

 

[crisi]

In a pinch, wet toilet paper will work, if you have one who doesn't want the auto flush and demands privacy (ahh, the things we do for our children).

 

[takemetoo]

POST-IT NOTES!!!!! Like Disney PhD said.

I give this tip out as much as possible. My oldest (I've 2 boys) is now big enough to stand and pee, but last time we were at Disney (a year ago right now ) we kind of held him over the toilet, so we couldn't cover the sensor with our hands. Disaster. My childless friend came up with the idea of using post-its and I've been using them and spreading the word ever since. There is ONE baby care center that has manual flush toilets. I think it's MK. But using any babycare center is a good idea if you are near one, since the bathrooms are small and so not noisey.

Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

It's precisely the toilets AT WDW that made my 4yo afraid of flushing! She hates the automatic ones, and insists I come in with her (even now that she's been potty trained for over 2 years) to keep it from flushing. I've just used my hand to cover the sensor. She's at the point now she doesn't even want to be in the stall when I take my hand off and it flushes. She'll say "don't take your hand off... don't let it flush... hold on I'm almost outta here... "

Poor thing, I so understand. My daughter went through this too; she didn't like the little red "eye" looking at her either, so I always had to put one hand over the sensor and keep one hand ready to snatch her off, in case it flushed unexpectedly. I tried putting her on the toiel backwards, but she found it too frightening to look.

 

[Cass]

Get her a cute little walkman with her favorite music CD in it... and when it's potty time crank it up